Temperature sensors in shade array

Abstract

A temperature system for a window shade includes temperature sensors coupled to a side seal for the window shade. The side seal is selectively movable into and out of position relative to the window shade. The temperature sensors convey temperature information to a controller for operating the window shade and the side seal. The controller operates the window shade and the side seals based at least in part upon the temperature information.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A temperature measuring system for a window shade comprising:
 a plurality of temperature sensors coupled to a side seal for the window shade, the side seal being selectively movable into and out of position relative to the window shade, the plurality of temperature sensors being configured to convey temperature information to a controller for operating the window shade and the side seal,   wherein:
 the window shade has a plurality of cells of the window shade that flexibly allow the window shade to raise and lower to uncover and cover a window; 
 the cells have openings facing in a lateral direction transverse to a vertical direction of movement of the window shade as it is raised and lowered; 
 the side seal is positioned relative to the window shade and movable to extend the side seal toward the openings of the cells and to seal the cells for thermal insulation; 
 the plurality of temperature sensors comprise:
 first temperature sensors positioned between a window and the window shade; 
 second temperature sensors positioned inside one or more of the cells; and 
 third temperature sensors positioned in front of the window shade opposite the first temperature sensors. 
 
   
     
     
         2 . The temperature sensor system of  claim 1 , further comprising optical sensors adjacent to the temperature sensors. 
     
     
         3 . The temperature sensor system of  claim 1  wherein the controller uses the temperature information to raise or lower the window shade. 
     
     
         4 . The temperature sensor system of  claim 1  wherein the controller uses the temperature information to actuate the side seals. 
     
     
         5 . The temperature sensor system of  claim 1  wherein:
 the window shade comprises a first window shade and a second window shade independently operable and spaced apart from one another; 
 the third temperature sensors are positioned between the first and second window shades; 
 the temperature sensor system further comprises fourth temperature sensors positioned inside one or more of the cells of the second window shade and fifth temperature sensors positioned in front of the second window shade opposite the first temperature sensors. 
 
     
     
         6 . The temperature sensor system of  claim 1  wherein the controller is configured to determine, based at least in part upon the temperature information whether or not insulation is desired, and if insulation is desired the controller is configured to actuate the side seals to seal the cells. 
     
     
         7 . The temperature sensor system of  claim 7  wherein the first window shade is reflective and the second window shade is absorptive. 
     
     
         8 . The temperature sensor system of  claim 7  wherein the controller is configured to determine, based at least in part upon the temperature information whether a reflective or absorptive shade is desirable and to deploy a corresponding window shade. 
     
     
         9 . A method for operating a cellular, multiple-shade window covering, the method comprising:
 taking five temperature readings at five different locations relative to the window covering, wherein:
 the window covering has a first cellular window shade and a second cellular window shade; 
 the first cellular window shade is reflective and the second cellular window shade is absorptive; 
 the first and second cellular window shades define a plurality of vertically-aligned cells that allow the first and second cellular window shades to raise and lower; and 
 the five different locations are:
 a first location behind the first cellular window shade between a window and the first cellular window shade; 
 a second location inside one or more cells of the first cellular window shade; 
 a third location between the first and second cellular window shades; 
 a fourth location inside one or more cells of the second cellular window shade; and 
 a fifth location in front of the second cellular window shade; and 
 
   raising or lowering the one or more of the first or second cellular window shades based at least in part upon the temperature readings and a determination of whether or not reflective or absorptive properties are desired based upon predetermined rules for the window covering.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the window covering has a third cellular window shade that is translucent, the method further comprising raising or lowering one or more of the first, second, or third cellular window shades based at least in part upon the temperature readings and a determination of whether or not translucent properties are desired based upon predetermined rules for the window covering. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the window covering further comprises side seals positioned between the window covering and a side of a window frame, the side seal being selectively actuatable to seal the cells of one or more of the first or second cellular window shades, the method further comprising determining whether or not to actuate the side seals based at least in part upon the temperature readings and a position of one or more of the first and second cellular window shades. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising a roller window shade. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the first cellular window shade is nearer to the window than the second cellular window shade. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the second and fourth locations comprise two or more cells within the first cellular window shade and second cellular window shades, respectively. 
     
     
         15 . A system, comprising:
 a headrail configured to be anchored near a top of a window frame, the window frame having a top rail, a bottom rail, and side rails that support a window, the headrail comprising a lifting mechanism;   first and second cellular shades suspended from the headrail, wherein:
 the first and second cellular shades individually comprise a plurality of vertically-aligned cells defined between flexible material; 
 the cells expand and contract as the first and second cellular shades are raised and lowered by the lifting mechanism; 
 the cells have an open end at each side that fills with ambient air; 
 the cells have an opening at each side; and 
 wherein the first cellular shade is reflective and therefore allows substantially zero light to penetrate the first cellular shade and the second cellular shade is absorptive and therefore absorbs radiant energy from outside the system to warm the ambient air in the cells of the second cellular shade; 
   side seals positioned between the side rails and one or more of the first cellular shade and the second cellular shaded, the side seals being configured to expand to seal the cells by contacting the openings in the cells on either side such that the ambient air within the cells renders the cells insulative;   temperature sensors configured to read a temperature around the system; and   a controller configured to actuate the lifting mechanism to raise or lower the first or second cellular shades independently and to actuate the side seals, based at least in part upon the temperature.   
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15  further comprising optical sensors configured to take an optical reading and wherein the controller is further configured to actuate the lifting mechanism or the side seals based at least in part upon the optical reading. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 15 , further comprising a roller shade coupled to the headrail and being deployable by the lifting mechanism, wherein deploying the roller shade does not interfere with the first or second cellular shades. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 15  wherein the cells of the first cellular shade are lined by a reflective material on one or more of an interior portion of the cells or an exterior portion of the cells. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 15  wherein cells of the second cellular shade are lined by an absorptive material on one or more of an interior portion of the cells or an exterior portion of the cells. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 17  wherein the roller shade is positioned between the first cellular shade and the second cellular shade.